Typesetting machine



Nov. 14, 1961 Filed March 9, 1961 T. DIERS TYPESETTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 77/500005 D1505 Nov. 14, 1961 T. DIERS' 3,008,567

TYPESETTING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 THEODORE 0/5125 United S eslatem; r

3,008,567 TYPESETTING MACHINE Theodore Diers, 246-11 137th Ave., Rosedale, N.Y. Filed Mar. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 94,501 '4 Claims. (Cl. 199-27) This invention relates to an improvement in Linotype set-ting machines. In particular, it relates to an improvement to the assembling elevator for a Linotype linecasting machine.

In a linecasting machine, matrices are stored in a magazine. As the operator presses the selector key, the matrices released from the magazine slide down the assembler entrance plate between guides to a rapidly moving matrix delivery belt which carries them to the assembler proper. The matrices then pass between the chute plates and a revolving star wheel conveys them into the assembling elevator in an upright position. The matrices are thus assembled in the assembling elevator together with the space bands which have been dropped through a chute directly above the star wheel. However, it has been found that as the star wheel delivers a newly arrived matrix to the previously assembled group, the leading edge of the newly arrived matrix tends to hit the last assembled matrix causing a minute indentation therein. This results in hair lines being formed in the line of cast type. The only remedy for this to date has been the periodic replacement of the matrices at a relatively high cost. Currently, matrices sell for about 36 a piece and about fifteen hundred are employed in a single magazine. One to four magazines may be employed in the machine at the same time. Matrix replacement cost, for a typical machine innormal service, may run thousands of dollars per year.

There is disclosed hereinafter a modification for the conventional linecasting machine which prevents damage to the matrices and results in a substantial reduction in the annual operating cost.

The invention comprises the provision of a doubleacting, spring loaded cam member which receives the newly arrived matrix from the star wheel and serves to erect the member to a vertical position before it hits the already assembled matrices.

The apparatus of this invention has been found to minimize damage of the type described and greatly extend the useful life of the expensive matrices.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to improve typesetting machines so as to prevent damage to matrices.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which may be incorporated into existing typesetting machines.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective device for preventing damage to matrices being assembled in the elevator of a typesetting machine.

Still other objects and advantages of the instant invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious as the following description proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of a typical matrix.

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of a distributor, assembler entrance and a portion of the associated magazine of a linecasting machine showing the device of this invention in operating position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective showing of a typical assembling elevator showing a group of matrices assembled in position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective showing of an assembling ele vator with the device of this invention installed.

FIG; 5 is an end elevation of the elevator with a ma in position.

FIG. 6shows in phantom a typical assembling elevator star wheel and delivery belt and its associated driving pulley together with the matrix being delivere'dfto the of "assembled mamatrix delivery belt 12. Belt 12 is propelled by wheel- 13. The belt feeds the matrix to an assembler chute plate 14 and revolving star wheel 15. T' hejohutc plate, which is spring loaded by spring 16, guides the matrices to the star wheel, and as this wheel turns, it kicks the matrix to an upright position, as shown more clearly in FIG. 6. The front points 14a of the chute plate exert sufficient pressure on top of the matrix to help it assume the desired positoin. As'the matrices enter the assembling elevator 20, the revolving star wheel 15 causes them to bear against finger 20a of assemblerslide 21. each matrix settles down through the action of the revolving starwheel 15, the slide moves the corresponding. distance to the left. A spring (not shown) causes brake blocks (not shown) to bear against the assembler slide and hold it in each progressive position. When assem bled, the line of matrices appears, as shown in FIG. 3.

, The assembling elevator serves two functions: It sup ports the line of matrices and space bands while they are being assembled, and it raises the assembled line to'a delivery slide when the operator depresses an assembling elevator lever handle (not shown). The 'line of matricesand space bands are plainly visible to the operator'and any changes in composition can be made before the line is'sent in to be cast. If hand spacing is necessary in a line, it can be done easily while the matrices and space bands rest in the assembling elevator.

In FIGS. 4 and 5,' there is shown assembling elevator.

The device of this invention, namely, spring loaded pawl member 30, is mounted on what is' commonly termed the elevator back plate 25. It will be noted by reference to FIG. 4, that the matrices assembled on the elevator are provided with a cutout which slides over the pawl. The operation of the pawl will be better understood by reference to FIG. 6.- Asmatrix' 8 comes off delivery belt 12, it is kicked to position 8a by the star wheel 15 against finger 31 of pawl 30. This tends to rotate the" pawl. about pivot bolt 32. As the star wheel 15 continues rotation, it further kicks the matrix to position 8b (shown in phantom). As' the matrix straightens out, the pawl slides along slot 3-3 through which pivot bolt 32 is passed inwardly to the left against the action of spring 34. This prevents jamming of the matrix. This represents an important and unobvious feature of the'invention. From a consideration of FIG. 5, it will be clear that the pawl 30' must be relatively thin so as to slide through the cut away portion of the matrix.

' Most matrices from 5 point up to and including 14 point have two characterspunched in their casting edges. This enables the operator to use italic or boldface characters in combination with roman characters of the same size. Two levels of rails are provided in the delivery channel, the first elevator jaw and mold, to support the matrices in either or both of the two positions. The assembling elevator also has two levels for the assembling of matrices, a fixed lower rail 27 and a movable upper rail 28, called the duplex rail. Matrices assembled on the lower or normal rail cast from the roman characters, and those assembled on the upper or duplex rail cast from the italic or bold characters. The duplex rail consists of Patented Nov. 14,1961

a long and short rail. If the operator, after having assembled part of the line on the duplex rail, wishes the rest of the matrices to assemble on the lower rail, he can withdraw the, short rail. 29;. leaving the; long, rail 29a, in place to support the matrices already in the upper position.. The operator cart change a matrix ora group of matrices by hand. fromoneposition to -the.- other when: ever he wishes.

Matrices come in a range of type faces and of different thicknesses. Accordingly, asingle-acting pawl may operatewith,somematrices, andv yet jam with still others. 'IIhedouble-acting arrangement disclosed renders the unit adaptable for a widerange of. matrices. Having successfully positioned an, incoming matrix in the vertical the spring34-straightens. out the pawl to its original start position. A stop member 36. prevents: complete rotation of the pawl. One end of the spring is; anchored to a pin 38- inserted inthe wall of. the elevator.

Installation of the device. may be readily made by removing; the elevator wall drilling and tapping a hole to receive a bolt 32. A. second hole, receives a short piece. of 0.03" drill rod which serves. as pin 38. Stop member 36 consists of a piece of 0.06." drill rod force fit in anappropriate bore. As shown, a flat has been ground therein to form a receiving face. It will be appreciated that this feature isv optional.

The height of the pawl measured at the. finger is 0.55", the transverse length 0.60, thickness 0.50. The 'slot is 0.20 x 0.125 These dimensions are provided by way of example, it being understood that minor variations may. be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Typesetting machines such as. the Intertype and the Linotype machines are well known to the art and therefore their operation has not been disclosed to any greater extent than believed necessary for an understanding of the instant. invention.

Having thus disclosed the best. embodiment of the invention presently contemplated, what is claimed is:

1.; In combination with a linecasting machine; elevator adapted to receive matrices, of the type havinga recessed side wall portion and a leading edge, from an. adjacent. source, the improvement comprising:

a. pawl adapted to fit within said'matrix recessed side wall, provided with a normally horizontal slot and a. matrix intersecting face: extending substantially at;

right angles tothe slot;

a pivot pin carried by said elevator extending into said slot; 1

a spring having one end anchored to said pawl and one end anchored to-said elevator, said spring-being tensioned' to (1) yield under pressure of a newly arrived matrix and to permit the pawl to rotate and slide along the pivot pin so that the recessed side wall passes over said pawl and (2) after a matrix clears said pawl to pull said pawl horizontally along said pivot pin toward said source of matrices and rotate said pawl on said pivot pin to, position said intersect;- ing face in the path of the leading edge of newly arrived matrices.

2. In combination with a linecasting machine elevator adapted to receive matrices, of the type having a recessed side wall portion and a leading edge, frornanadjacent source, the improvement. comprising:

a ,pawl adapted to fit within said matrix recessed side wall, provided ith a normally horizontal slot and a matrix intersecting face extending substantially at right angles to the slot and having a rounded lower corner;

a pivot pin carried by said elevator extending into said slot;

a spring having one end anchored to said pawl member and one end anchored to said elevator, said spring being tensioned to (1) yield under pressure of a newly arrived, matrix and to permit the pawl to rotateand slide along the pivot pin so that the. recessed side wall passes over said pawl and (2) after a. matrix clears said rounded lower corner to pull said pawl horizontally along said pivot pin toward said source of matrices and rotate said. pawl on said pivot pin topositionv said intersecting face in. the path of the leading edge of newly arrived matrices.

3. In combination with a linec-asting machine elevator adapted to receive. matrices, of the type having a recessed side wall portion and a leading edge, from an adjacent source, the improvement comprising:

a pawl adapted to fit within said matrix recessed side wall, provided with a normally horizontal slot and a matrix intersecting face extending substantially at right angles to the slot and having a rounded lower corner;

a plivot carried by said elevator extending into said s ot;

a spring containedwithin said pawl having one end anchored to said pawl. and one end anchored to said.

elevator, said spring being tensio-ned to (1) yield under pressure of a newly arrived matrix and to permit the pawl to rotate and slide. along the pivot pin so that. the recessed side wall passes over said pawl and (2) after a matrix clears said rounded lower corner to pull said pawl horizontally along said pivot pin toward said source of matrices and rotate said pawl on said pivot pin to position said intersecting face in the path of the leading edge of newly arrived matrices.

4. In combination with a linecasting machine elevator adapted-to receive matrices, of the type having a recessed side. wall portion and. a leading edge, from anadjacent source the improvement comprising:

a pawl, adapted to fit within said matrix recessed side wall, provided with a normally horizontal slot and a finger member extending downwardly at right angles to. the slot. and having a rounded lower corner;

a pilvot, pin carried by said elevator extending into said a spring contained within said. pawl-having one end anhored to said pawl and one end anchored to said elevator, said spring being tensioned to (1) yield under pressure of a newly arrived matrix to permit the pawl to rotate and slide along-the pivot pin so. that thesaid recessed side wall. passes over said pawl and (2) after a matrix clears the finger member to pull said-pawl horizontally along said pivot pin toward said source of matrices and rotate said pawl on said pivot pin to position said finger member in the path of the leading edge of newly arriving matrices.

No references cited. 

